Coron Bay

Coron Palawan, Philippinesnature

Coron Bay sits in northern Palawan, and if you came here purely for coral, you'd still leave satisfied — but the real draw is what lies beneath in rust and silence. Twelve Japanese warships, sunk in a single American air raid in September 1944, now rest at depths of 10 to 40 metres, draped in some of the most vivid soft coral growth I've seen anywhere in South-East Asia. Visibility typically runs 10 to 20 metres, occasionally better in the dry season, and currents are generally mild, which makes these wrecks genuinely accessible for recreational divers. The Irako and Okikawa Maru are the standouts — you'll fin through engine rooms colonised by lionfish and batfish, past portholes framed in orange and purple soft corals, with the occasional sea turtle drifting overhead. The Kogyo Maru offers a shallower, more relaxed penetration dive that open-water certified divers can handle comfortably. Beyond the wrecks, Barracuda Lake offers something genuinely strange: a thermocline mixing freshwater with saltwater at around 38°C, sitting above a reef system that is surprisingly intact given Coron's popularity. Day boats operate from Coron town jetty in abundance, and most reputable local operators run well-maintained equipment with guides who know these wrecks intimately. Liveaboard options exist but aren't essential here — nearly all sites are within a 30-to-60-minute boat ride. The reefs outside the wreck zone show some crown-of-thorns and anchor scarring, though conservation efforts have improved site management in recent years. Best time to visit is November through May; open-water certification covers most sites, though a wreck specialty or guided penetration briefing is strongly recommended before entering the larger ships.

No photos yet. Be the first — check in or post a public journal entry with photos.

No reviews yet. Be the first to write one!